Sheet-feeding machine.



H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1914. l 9 l 54 Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

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WITNESSES: [NVEN TOR.

L mrw K.

7 ATTRN H. K. vKING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. A'PPLICATION' FILED JAN. 24. 1914.

' PatentedSept. 21, 1915.

11 SHEETS'SHEE1 2'.

INVENTOR.

d It. 42% M L- A TTORNE Y.

WITNESSES WITNESSES:

H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

I 'APPICATION FILED JAN-24,1914- Patnted. Sept. 21, 1915.

1'] SHEETS-SHEE] 3.

INVENTOR.

2'1- ATTORNEY.

H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, I914.

1,154,40. PatentedSept. 21, 1915.

I I SHEETSSHEE] 5.

W1TNESSES 11v VEN TOR.. m K. MA

H. K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. AFPucATmN FILED JAN-24, 1914.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

I I SHEETS-SHEE] 6.

[NI/E TOR. W

W/ZNESSES M i A TTORNE Y.

H. K. KING.-

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APFLICATION FILED JAN. 24 19M.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

ll SHEETSSHEE1 7.

' INVENTOR.

M A- A TTORNE y.

H. K. KING.

- SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. v APPLICATION FlLED JAN-24.1914. 1,154,406.Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

5 3 1| SHEETSSHEEI 8.

- ATTORNEY.

H. K. KING.

- SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. A PPLICATION FILED JAN- 24, IQI4- 1,154,4z06aPatented Sept. 21, 191:).

H SHEETSSHEE19.

WITNESSES [NVEN TOR.

11y 3 2 If mg,

fl- ATTOI E I.

H K. KING.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED W24. 1914.

1,154, 10; Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

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Gontinuation in part of application Serial No. 790,169. filed September17, 1913. This application filed To'all whom it may concern HOWARD K.KINGMIOF PHILADELPHIA, PENfi ifii'ivlNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 CHAMBERS BRo'rHERsooMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

- SHEET-FEEDING MAcHINE.

, Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

January 24, 1314. Serial No. 814,096.

'Be it known that I, HOWARD K. KING, a citizen 'of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Sheet-Feeding Machine, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to'improvementsinsheet feeding machines.

,The object is to provide improved means for separatin and deliveringsingle sheets from a pile 0 sheets.

The improvement relates to that type of,

feeding machine commonly known as the continuous feed .type.

Referring .to the drawings which illustratemerely way of example,suitable means for embodying my invention-Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig.2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2, showingthe cone friction and the operating diaphragm on slightly enlargedscale. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation. Fig. 5 is a front elevation. Fig. 6is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing pivot and latch membersofthe valve trip mechanism on an enlarged scale. Fig. 7 is a sideelevation of most of the art shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a section online 88 of Fig. 19 on-an enlargedscale Fig. 11 is a section on line11-11of Fig. 5

en an enlarged scale and showing the front part of the feeder only. Fig.12 is a similar view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 11,.but in adifferent position. Fig. 13 is a plan view of one of the members forlatching up the valve, on a still larger scale. -Fig.

'14 is a section on anenlarged scale of one of the air passages from therail to the valve casing' Fig. 1.5is a section on line 15-15 of Fig. 10on .an enlarged scale. Fig. 16 is a sectlonv showing some of the partsshown in Fig. 12, but in a different position. Fig.

vicesas herein illustratedfor controlling the ing the sheet detector andassociated mecha-- in a different position.- VVIGW on an enlarged scaleof the combing nism. Fig. 20 is a rear view of the upper end of thedetector arm. Fig. 21 is a similar new of some of the parts shown inFig. 19, with the members in a different position.

- Fig. 22 is a view showing some of the parts shown in Fig. 19', withsome of the members Fig. 23 is a plan Wheel and device for clamping thesheets, and the drag weight, the combing wheel and mounting being shownin section. Fig. 24 is a section on line 24-24 of Fig. 23. F g. 25 isa-section on line 25-25 of Fig. 23. Fig. 26 is a section on anenlarged'scale on' line 2626 of Fig. '4. Fig. 27 1s a section on line2727 of Fig. 26; also showing connect-.

ing mechanism not shown in Fig. 26. Fig. 28 is an enlarged frontelevationof the middle portion of themachine. Fig. 29 is an enlargedsectional detail of the pad provided in the table beneath the combingwheel (sheet 8). v Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughoutthe several views. I

Referring to Figs. 2 and 9, 30 is the receiving table upon which a pileof sheets 31 having been first feathered is placed in the manner; wellknown in the art. These sheets areplaced upon the table 30 and feddownwardly toward roller 32 by the tapes 33 passing over the surface oftable 30 around drum 32 over idler 34 and pulleys 35. The

sheets are carried around the drum 32 between said drum and the tapes 36which pass around roller 37, pulleys 38, roller 39 and pulleys 40. Thesheets passing between tapes 33 around drum 32 and tapes 36 aredelivered upon the feeding table 41 over which pass the canrying tapes42 Carrying tapes 42 pass around roller 39 and pulleys 43. By means ofthe carrying tapes 42 the sheets are carried forward beneath the combingwheel 44 by which they are fed forwardlytowardthe drop and feed rollers245 and 246 respectively of the folding machine or similar device.

The present invention comprises improved means in connection with suchfeeding deoperation of the combing wheel and the drag weight, and meansfor interrupting the movement 'of the sheet, and the latching means forthe drop roller of a folding machine or similar device to bring the sameinto proper operative relationship with the feeder.

The invention also comprises improved means for the automatic control ofthe delivery of sheets to the feeding roller 246, means for adjustingthe several instrumentalities to suit sheets of differentcharacteristics and improved means for guiding the sheets from the firsttable to the second table as for example, around the drum 32.

The combing wheel is of usual construction and is mounted on the stud 45which projects from the framework 46 which is mounted in the casing 47and has a rocking movement about shaft 48, see Fig. 23. Secured to thecombing wheel 44 is the gear wheel 49 which coiiperates with the gearwheel50 which lSlIlOUIltGd on shaft 48 and rotates therewith. The outerend of stud 45 is supported bythe connecting arm 51 which is connectedat its upper end with the lever 52,-said lever 52 being rotatably fixedwith shaft 53. Shaft 53 also carries-arm 54 having adjustable contactpiece 55, see Fig. 11, which is controlled by the movement of piston rod56 carrying piston 57 controlled by diaphragm 58 in the pneumatic head59. Rigidly secured to the shaft 53 is the arm 222, see Fig. '2; to theouter extremities of which is secured the serrated bar 223, with whichthe adjustable bracket 224 engages. To bracket 224 is secured the spring225; the other end of which is secured at a fixed point 226. By movingthe bracket 224along the serrated bar 223 from one side to the other ofshaft 53 or toward or away from shaft, the pressure exertedby thecombing wheel upon the sheets may be modified as desired.

A pad is secured across the table 41 extending transverse the directionof travel of the sheets and just beneath the combing wheel 44, see Figs.15 and 29. This pad is sunk in a channel in the table 41 and the tenedto the table 41 slightly to the rear of the pad 219 as at 221*, see Fig.29. The mole skin affords a good wearlng surface which does notinterfere withnthe travel of the sheets over table 41, and the padeliminates the noise ordinarily due to the mpact of the combing wheelupon the sheets when resting or supported immediately beneath thecombing wheel;- by non-yielding mate rial. The jar thus eliminated,greatlyadds to the wear of the working parts and the smooth operation ofthe machine. This pad The shaft 82 is provided withthe g 89 130structure is important where the pile beneath the combing wheel is thin,where however the pile operated upon by the combing wheel is thick suchcushioning device is of less importance.

The feeding of the feathered bank to the combing wheeZs.The cam 76 ismounted on the shaft 77, see Fig. 11, which cam is constantly drivenduring the operation of the machine. The lever 73 is pivotally mountedat 74 and is provided at its free end with the roller 75 adapted toengage with the periphery of the cam 76. The roller 75 of lever 73 isnormally maintained against the periphery of the cam 76 by means of thespring rod 78 provided with the. spring 79. To lever 73 is connected oneend of the connecting rod 80, the other end being connected with thestud 83 on friction element 81, see Figs. 2 and 3, so that by the normaloperation of the rod 80 actuated by the cam 76 the friction element 81will be made to rock backward and forward. The positive actuation of thecam gives the feeding motion.- The return motion of the rod is due tothe spring 79. The friction element 81 is journaled free on the shaft 82and is connected by a collar with the lever 84 pivotally supported atone end on the adjustable stud 85 and pivotally connected at its freeend at 86 to the piston rod 87 of piston 88 in pneumatic head 107. Lever84 is also connected with the spring 108. The external clutch member 109is keyed to the shaft 82. When compressed air is admitted tothe head 107the piston and piston rod are pushed forward causing the engagement ofthe clutch elements 81 and 109 and the consequent actuation of shaft 82.When air is exhausted from the head 107 the piston moves to the left inresponse to the tension of spring 108 causing the disengagement of theclutch elements 81 and 109, or in the absence of the spring thepressurebetween the friction ele-' ments is sufficiently relieved to preventtheir effective cotiperation. -A sheet detector controls the supply ofcompressed air to the diaphragm head 107 as hereinafter described.Through means of a lever the descent of the drop and feed rollers raisesthe detector finger thus opening wide the exhaust from the diaphragm.This causes the clutch to be released, and as stated above, the frictiona-elutch element 81 is returned by the spring actuated cam arm. Thepositive actuation by thecam gives the forward feeding motion.Theireturn motion of the cam arm is spring controlled. Should the clutchbe engagedthe spring 79 does not have suflicient power to move thefeeding drum. This is important, otherwise under-certain conditions thebank would receive a reverse feed and be moved back and forth with theoscillations of the friction. .1 I

which meshes with gear 90 on shaft 91 which carries the drum or roller32 see Fig. 9. Gear 90 meshes with gear 92 on shaft 93 which carriespulleys 38. It. will thus be seen that the actuation of shaft 82 securesthe actuation of the drum 32, pulleys 38 and 39, and: carrying tapes 33,36 and 42, and thus secures the desired feed of sheets from table 30 tothe desired position beneath the combing wheel 44 on table 41.

Means for the manual or arbitrary actuation of shaft 82 is provided inthe crank handle 94 shown in Fig. 4.

It will be noted that with reference to Fig. 9, that each pulley 40 ismounted on a sliding member 95 which has a slidingmovement in waysprovided in the stationary framework' Each member 95 is connected withone end of a tension spring 96.

The other end of spring 96 is attached to,

the rod 97 secured to the stationary framework. .This structure permitsof an independent tension of each of the tapes 36 and permits tapes 36to move away from or toward the drum 32.to accommodate the thickness ofthe pile of sheets passing around drum-32 and between said drum 32 andtapes 36.

It will be noted that roller 37 is placed well above drum 32. Theadvantage of this arrangement is that roller 37 permits a free passageof the sheets from table 30 and tapes 33 beneath the said roller 37,whereas if this roller rested against the drum 32 it would tend toobstruct and buckle the sheets passing around the drum.

. The advantage of having the adjustable tapes 36 travel around the drum32, instead of stationaryguides which has hitherto been common, is thatthe tapes not only yield readily to accommodate variations in thethickness of'the pile passing'around drum 32, but they also tend to keepthe sheets well smoothed'rou't. and assist the travel thereof, whilestationary guides about drum 32, pre-. sent a dead surface to oneside ofthe pile; thus a substantially even and uniform feed isgiven to bothsides of the pile by the tapes I 33 and drum 32 on the one side and ofthe tapes 36 on the other side. The tapes 36 guide the pile of sheetsand deliver same onto tapes42 and table ,41.

Automatic control of the means for feeding the feathered bank to thecombing wheeZ.-It will be understood that the continuous rotation of cam76 causing the continuous reciprocation of rod 80 and actuation offriction member 81 would normally cause a continuous step by steprotative movement fof shaft '82 if the friction ele-' ments 81 and 109were always in frictionalv engagement during the positive actuation offriction 81 by the cam 7 6. As above stated, however, the engagement ofthe friction elements is controlled byasheet detector controlling apneumatic operation of the friction member 81. This detector finger 63is shown in Figs. 19 and 21, and forms the upper member of a caliperingdevice. The lower member of; this caliper is a plate o bar 64 ofconsiderable length. The rear end of this plate is secured to the feedboard 41. The forward end, which is under the contact part of the finger63, is free to be adjusted vertically. This adjustment is secured by theset-screw 65 bearing against the underside of the plate. head of thisscrew is under the feed board, the screw projecting upwardly through athreaded plate 66. This plate being secured to the feed'board. Thepneumatic head which controls the movable friction element 81 iscontrolled by air pressure from reservoir 213 passing through the minuteopening 68 into chamber 69 which communicates with the conductor 7 0leading to the pneu- .matic head 107. Chamber 69 is also proture 68 iscommunicated to the diaphragm Of} the head-1 07 causing the engagementof the friction elements 81 and 109 and the consequent feeding er thebank of sheets. When the number of sheets however passing between thecalipering elements 63 and 64 are sufiicient to raise the caliperin'gelements '63 slightl haust from the diaphragm causes the clutch Theknurled the end 72v is Withdrawn I from the nozzle 1 and thus openingthe exto be released. his also to be noted that the cam 76 is timed tofeed during the portion' of the cycle allotted to the combing action andpermit the return of the friction eleme'nt while t e sheet isbeing takenaway by the dropand feed rollers. This is accomplished by means'of thelever 114 pivoted at 115 having an adjustable weighted end 129 adaptedto engage the arm 163 moving with the drop roller 245. Lever 114 has anextension 130 which is adapted to engage the arm 110 and force the end72 away from the nozzle 71, thus opening wide the exhaust from thediaphragm of head 107 and cansing the clutch to be released, and asstated above, the spring returns the cam actuated arm.

It will be understood that very minute variations in the thickness ofthe pile of sheets beneath the detector finger 63 will effect theengagement between the friction known, motion transmission means, com-'prising cooperating friction elements, between which there isa slippingfrictional engagement, is capable of transmitting'motion very gently,especially at the start, and where the pressure of engagement iscomparatively slight. The less the pressureof engagement between thefriction elements, the greater the slip, and consequently the gentler isthe communication of motion. With a pneumatic control for thisfrictional engagement an extremely delicate and sensitive control issecured. In the actual operation of the machine the aperture 71 is notentirely closed, hence there is more or less slip between the frictionelements, and from this it follows that the feed of sheets is always agentle one without danger of forcing the sheets from the rearunder theforward sheets.

The manual adjustm-entof the screw determines the thickness of the bankmaintained at the calipering point. The detector finger 63 has alongitudinal adjustment-on the arm 67 permitting the calipering point tobe moved toward or away from the drop roller 245. The extremes of thisadjustment are arbitrarily fixed. The object of this adjustment is tohandle advantageously papers of varying thicknesses and of differentchar acteristics.

lVhen handling thin paper the combing action penetrates to and sets inmotion quite a number of sheets, in some cases a dozen or more. For thinand all ordinary easy combing paper, the calipering point should be wellback, away from the drop roller. For

fairly thick, firm paper it should be set in For 'soft, hard anintermediate position. combing paper, stock where the combing actionpenetrates for only two or three sheets deep, the calipering pointshould be set to theclosest position to the drop roller.

In order to get a successful automatic feeding action, the caliperingpoint must not beifarther from the drop roller than will form steps of areasonable length between the sheets in motion. Thus, three sheets inmotion means three steps, provided the cali of the combing wheels.

ping the feeding action of the bank. When so set, the starting of one ormore additional sheets under the caliper will cause the swinging of thearm slightly away from the escape nozzle. This exhausts the air from thediaphragm sufiioiently, and thus prevents the clutch engaging andfeeding the bank forward. The cam operating the feed through the clutchhas an arbitrary motion. The feeding of the bank is arrested by theaction of the detector caliper when the bank is brought suflicientlyforward, the earn swing- 'ing the clutch member idly for the balance ofthe stroke. This results in the bank being fed forward the requiredamount. In this connection it should be noted that by this pneumaticallycontrolled actuation of the friction it is possible for the friction torelease at any point or any moment of its rotative movement, that is tosay, there is no fixed or required degree or are through which thefriction actuation of the drum is caused by. the positive movement ofthe cam. The moment the end 7 2 is sufliciently actuated to relieve theopening 71 the frictions will begin to slip or entirely separate as thecase may be whether in the beginning or at the end of the stroke or inany intermediate position.

Usually, after the withdrawal of each sheet the bank will be fedforwarda greater or less amount, changing in response to the varyingsteps in the feathered bank. This variation is due to the manner inwhich the sheets are placed on the receiving board by the operator. Anumber of sheets may reach the detector without being feathered at all.In this case the feeding of the bank is entirely arrested until thesheets are worked out and delivere by the successive actions Asmentioned before, for thin or easy combing paper the detector fingersshould be well backfrom'the drop roller. In this case there should, befrom eight to twelve steps between the caliper and the drop roller, the

number depending somewhat upon the char-' acter ,o' f the paper.Normally these steps are (very short just as the edge passes beyond thecaliper, and gradually lengthen out as it approaches the drop roller.

Bearing in mind that the sheet whose edge is, just passing the caliperis the eighth" to the twelfth from the top, while the one next to thedrop roller is the top sheet; when the calipering finger is adjusted theproper distance from the drop roller to suit the character of paper, asdescribed, the combing wheels will have little or no influence onthesheetswhose edges have not yet reached the calipering point.

The reason for, and the importance of,.th'e longitudinal adjustment hasbeen shown. Experiment has proved that there is considerable latitude inthe position of the detector, with reference to the drop roller, for anyparticular paper, the greatest latitude being with ordinary easy combingpaper, and the least latitude with very soft, hard combing paper. 1

\Vith a little experience the operator should be able to set thedetector in a good working position by'examining the paper to be worked.The caliper should be set rather closer than the combined thickness ofthe number of sheets representing the expected number of steps. Then,with the machine in operation, the caliper should be slowly opened upand adjusted until good working conditions are secured. i Body 47 isprovided, with a lug 99 provided with the recess 100 as shown in Figs.23 and 24:. This recess is adapted to receive the end of rod 101 whichis secured therein by the pin 102 which permits a pivotal movement,about the pin 102 in recess 100. The rod is also provided with theaperture 103 to receive the end of latch pin 104 when the rod 101 iscarried to the elevated posi- 25 tion.

Fig. 24 shows the rod 101 in the lower or operative position which isnormally maintained "by gravity. Upon the rod 101 is slidably mountedthe member 105 which is adapted to be clamped to said rod in therequired position by the clamp screw 106. A feather and key way areprovided between the body 105 and the bar 101 to prevent relativeturning between the" two.

Clamping the bank back of the top sheet, saidsheet being in position tobe withdrawn by the action of the feed and drop r0ZZe'rs.- This clampingisaccomplished by action of the drag wheel 127. Suitably mounted on 40the structure connected to the body or mem her 105 is the pneumatic head116 provided with a nozzle 117 and the diaphragm 118. This diaphragm isadapted to engage and operate the piston 119 and pistonv rod 120connected therewith. At the' lower end of the piston rod 120 is securedat one end a lever.'122, which is pivotally mounted at 123.. Leverrl22is provided with an -exten sion 12-1 having a braking surface 125 and adetent 126 adapted to cobperate with the periphery of the wheel 127.This wheel 127 is mounted on the free end of arm 128 which is pivotallyconnected at 129 with a bracket 121 which is connected with thepneumatic head 116. The wheel 127 is pro- ;vided with a toothed orserrated periphery and is adapted normally to rest by gravity upon thepile of sheets. When pressure is exerted above the diaphragm 118 thepiston rod 120 is depressed and the brake arm 124 engages the peripheryof wheel 127 to stop its rotation.' The pressure of the wheel upon theaper isalso gthereby increased, thus forming an effective brake or clampupon the pile of sheets. When the wheel 127 is free to rotate it servesas a slight drag only to the advancing sheets. When the top sheet haspassed beyond the influence of this wheel, it is in position to beremoved by the drop and feed roller and the combing wheel is throughoperating on. the same. Before the drop and feed roller begins to actorsaid top sheet the brake is applied to wheel 127 which serves to clampthe balance of the pile of sheets as above described,

and prevents their displacement as the top the rod 101 and the devicessupported thereby are supported by the roller 196 secured to the outerend of extension 235 connected to bracket 107. This roller 196 isadapted normally to rest upon the pile of sheets.

Adjustment.-It will be understood that the wheel 127 should be sopositioned, when in the operative position, as to engage the pile ofsheets immediately to the rear of A the first sheet when said sheet isin position to be operated upon by the drop and feed roller. Thisposition is secured, in accordance with the sizeof the sheets operatedupon, by the adjustment of the body 105 on the rod 101, which adjustmentis maintained by the set-screw 106.

The air pressure is delivered to the diaphragm chamber 116, through.nozzle 117, to which is connected the flexible tubing 132 from a sourceof air pressure supply, controlled by a valve hereinafter tobedescribed.

i Control of head 116.-The control of air pressure to and exhaust fromhead 116 is secured by means 01; the piston valve 195 and piston 236,see Fig. 19'. The valve piston 236 is connected by a link 200 with astud 201 connected to lever arm 114. The lever 114 is controlled by themovement of the arm 163 connected with the drop roller 245. When thedrop roller descends the valve piston 236 is carried to its lowerposition, by the movement of lever arm 114 establishing communicationbetween the air pressure supply in 213 and the pneumatic head 116, thuscausing thebraking'and clamping of Wheel 127 at the moment of thedescent of the drop roller 2245. Upon the elevation of the feed rollerthe valve piston .236 is elevated and communication is cut off between213 and 116 and open between 116 and the exhaust, thus releasing thebrake on wheel 127 and relieving the pressure of the wheel. I

Valve control of the diaphragm heads 00%- trollz'ng the combing wheeZ.Itwill be understood that when the top sheet has been combedforward intothe final combing position, when the feed and drop rollers are ready toact upon the same, the combmg wheel is elevated from said sheet, and asabove described, the brake is made to engage the clamp wheel 127 on thepile to the rear of saidsheet, so that the drop and feed rollers mayremove said top sheet from the pile. It has already been explained, thatthe movement of the combing wheel and the operation of the brake aresecured by. the actuation of'pistons in pneumatic or diaphragm heads bythe introduction of a r pressure to said heads. The control ofsa d airpressure to the combing wheel heads is secured by a valve controlledmechanism actuated by the sheet itself, when it assumes said finalposition between the drop and feed rollers. Such a mechanism isillustrated in the drawings especially Figs/11 I and 12. Secured to thestationary frame- I work, is a valve casing 133. This valve casing isprovided with ports, and a valve piston 134, and is'adapted by ;theoperation of the piston member to establish communication between thesource of air pressure supply 135 and the conductor 136 (Fig. 5) to thetwo diaphragm chambers 59 already described, sothat when pressure isthus communicated to the upper sides of the diaphragm the pistons aredepressed as already described. The valve piston 134 is adapted to beactuated [to interrupt communication between the source of air pressure.supply and the diaphragm chambers, and also to open communicationbetween said diaphragm chambers and the exhaust, in order to relieve thepressure in said diaphragm chambers and permit the diaphragm and pistonrods to assume normal positions.

When the pressure is relieved from the,

chamber, 59 above the diaphragm 58 the weight of the combing wheelstructure operating through arms 52 and 54 onpiston rod .56 returnspiston 57 and diaphragm 58 to.

the elevated position as shown in 'Fig. 11. i

In Fig. 14' the chamber 135 is shown connected with the reservoir 213 bythe channel -217 located in the side frame of the machine.

The means for actuating the valve piston willnow be described. Themember 137 is pivotally. supported at 138, see Figs. 11, 12

and 13, and is adapted in one position to engage the lower end of thevalve piston 134 to maintain the, same in the elevated position as shownin Fig. 11. It is also adaptedato assume a position withdrawn from thevalve.

piston 134 to permit said piston, due to gravity andthe action of spring(227, ,to assaid grooves sume the depressed position as shown in Fig.12. The actuation and control of this member 137 is secured asfollows:The lever 139 is mounted on rock shaft 140, and its free end 141 isadapted to engage the member 137. To the same rock shaft 140 is securedthe arm 142 having its free end provided with a roller 143, and alsoconnected with the spring push rod 144. The roller 143 is adapted toengage the cam 145 which is adapted to rotate constantly. The peripheryof the cam is provided with a short depression 146 so that with eachrevolution of the cam .145 the roller 143 drops into said depression andcauses an elevation of the levers 139 and consequently the elevation ofthe members 137 for a short interval during each cycle of the positionof the valve piston 134, communication between the supply of 'airpressure and the diaphragm heads 59 is interrupted, and communicationbetween the diaphragm heads and the exhaust is established.

.The shaft 147 is shown as hollow and rectangular in form and is mountedat its outer ends on the pivot pins 148, see Figs. 6, 7, 15, 16, 11 and12. This shaft 147 is in two parts, see Fig. 5, being similarlysupported at the middle of the machine. ;In otherrespects the two partsare the same. At the outer end of each element of shaft 147 provided afingeror arm 149, and also the arm 150 which is connected with thespring 151 for maintaining the shaft in its normal pivotal position. Thespring 151 is secured to an adjustable rod 152. Each section of shaft147is prdvided with a structure comprising a yoke'153'which is adapted tobe adjustment along the shaft 147 of the clamp-screw 154. To'thisclamping yoke are secured the guide 155 and the wing 156 to which'thefinger 157 is adjustably secured by :"means of These .yokes 'are securedin the proper position of adjustment on the shaft elements 147 so thatthe fingers 157 will register with any by means 'de'sired groov'es' 159of the feed roller 246,

saidroller being provided with a number of to suit the various sizes 60fsheets operated upon. Until theadvancing sheet comes between the droproller 245 and the feedroller246, the finger 157 will project into thegroove 159 as shown in F ig. 11, and the arm 149 will engage the member137"and hold the same in the elevated osition irrespective of themovements 0 the lever 139. When, however the sheet, which is indicatedat 160 in Fig. 12, passes over the feed roller 246, the finger 157 islifted therebyand the shaft- 147 is consequently rotated, carrying thearm 149 into the posltion shown in said Fig. 12, so that it will theslot and bolt 158.

clamped. 1n any position of register with aperture 161 and the memberattaehed to the part-bearing on the bank. 65

137 will fall into the position shown in Fig.

12, the member 149 projecting throughaperture 161. In this position thevalve piston 134 falls by force of gravity or the actuation of spring227, and establishes communication between the source of air pressureand the diaphragm heads, causing the depression of piston rod 56 and theconsequent elevation of the combing wheel.

-. After the sheet is withdrawn beyond the finger 157, the finger isready to fallback into the channel 159 of feed roller 246 upon A therelease of arm 149 upon the next elevation of member 137 by theoperation of lever 139 and cam 145, whereupon the said member 137 isheld into the latched position by said arm 149 until again released bythe passage of the next sheet between the feed roller and finger 157.

.O n practically all paper, except paper that is extremely'hard tocomb,it is deslrable to have more or less weight on the bank. This weightshould rest on the bankseveral steps or sheets back of the top sheet.They serve a double purpose; one to retard the rear or under sheets, andthus increase the separation or steps in the uppersheets; the

. other purpose is to give a constant resistance to comb against,thereby maklng the hard and soft spots in the bank less marked. It is awell known fact that a pile orbank does not comb uniformly; frequentlycombs quite easily in some places, and quite hard in other places;changing suddenly from one condition to the other. The drag, acting witha constant resistance, decreases the percentage of variation between-theextreme conditionsof hard and soft places. a

The pressure on the combing wheels is set to comb against the naturalresistance of 'the paper, plus the resistance caused by the pressure ofthe drag. With hard comblng paper, where only a very few sheets are 1acted upon at a time, it is desirable to use little or no drag weight.On paper where the combing influence extends deeper into the bank, it isdesirable to use considerable weight, as a resistance or drag to preventor lessen themotionof the sheets deeper down.

i The explanation given above shows the" advantages gained by usin thedrag. However, the machine'can be a justed to operate 7 without it. Inpractice, the changing of the pressure due to weight or spring on thedrag is one of the adjustments most frequentlymade in. operating theKing pile feeder. It is one of the adjustmentsused to secure the properlengh of steps in the combed-out" sheets. a,

The pressure weight now underconsidera- 'tion' is provided withadiaphragm, see Figs. 23,. 24 and 25. This diaphragm is rigidly It'alsoforms part of the weight. All the weight bearing on the paper is directgravity. There are two of these pressure devices complete, one back ofeach combing wheel. Each one is provided to carry extra weights forexample, 202 and 203. However, it is expected that with 'one of theseweights on each device, practically all kinds of paper can besuccessfully handled.

The'adjustment consists in the control of the amount of air admitted' tothe diaphragm head. These diaphragm heads are so arranged that they arelifted whensufiicient compressed air is admitted to them, the inclosedpiston and piston rod remaining stationary. v 1 The diaphragm orpneumatic head is rig idly secured to the sleeve 204 which carries thepresser foot 205. The pin 206 is rigidly secured to the outer casing 207which is ad- 'justably connected with the bracket 107. g When airpressure is admitted to the head 197 above the diaphragm piston 208piston rod 209 being in engagement with pin 206 it follows that the saidpiston rod can have no furtherv downward movement, the result is,that-the diaphragm head 197, tube 204' and presser foot 205 arecorrespondingly lifted. The hollow tube 204 is provided with slots as at210 to permit relative movement between said tube to the fixed pin 206.The result is that as the pressure is increased above the diaphragm 208the pressure of the presser foot is relieved. In this way it followsthat the pressure exerted by presser foot 205 is gradually relieved, asthe pressure in he diaphragm head increases. By

this'arrangement only one set of valves is necessary to control bothheads. This set consists of two valves, a needle valve and a balancedpiston valve. The piston valve is operated by the vertical movement ofthe left hand combing wheel.

Rear reassure weights or drag weights.- .This va ve and valve operatingmechanism is illustrated in Fig. 11.. The valve piston 62 is providedwith a suitable casing having chambers connected one with the source ofair supply 213 and the other connected with the diaphragm head 197. Thepiston '62 is adapted to establish-communication between the airpressure supply and the diaphragm head in one position and between thecut off of said communication and establish com munication between thediaphragm head and exhaust in the other position. The piston is actuatedby'the contact piece 61 secured on the arm 60'which is mounted on theshaft 53. When the comloimgf Wheel is -down, the valve connects thecompressed air supply" with the diaphragm heads. When the combing wheelis up, the valve shuts off the supply of air to the ,diaph'ragmheads,

and instantly exhausts the air pressure in them to the atmosphere. Thecompressed air, before reaching the piston valve, passesdown, the dragweight is very slowly lifted,-

just as slowly as the operator may desire.

The greater part ofthe weight of the drag,

being on the paper when the combing wheels first come inte-acti6n thisweight more or less rapidly becomes lighter during the combing interval.

For hard combing paper the needle valve may be opened quite wide,'withthe result that the drag is lifted clear of 'the paper about the timethe combing wheels reach.

the paper. When the valve is so adjusted, the drag weight would not haveany influence in retarding the combing action of the wheels. w v

With the needle valve the operator can quickly get any speed in lifting,from a movement barely noticeable to the quickest speed required. Theadjustment of the needle valve is' made'with the machine in operation,so that the result of any change in adjustment can be quickly seen. Theadjustment of the needle valve is equivalent to changing the weight ofthe drag; but the operaiton of lifting the drag, and thus changing theweight of the drag during the combing interval does more than that. Itseffect is to automatically take care of the hard and easy combing partsof the bank,

without the operator making frequent adjustments to suit the varyingconditions. The explanation of how this is accomplished is as follows:-The combing wheels are arranged to remain in action upon the sheetunt1l the sheet is brought into position under.

the valve trip fingers at the feed roller. If

this time exceeds the part of the cycle allowed to combing action, itwill cause a miss in feeding, the sheet being taken away on thesucceeding cycle of .the 'mach1ne\ When the machine is properlyadmsted,the normal time of combing will not exceedhalf of the time allowance.The hardcomblng parts of the bank will requiregmore than normal time;the easy parts less than normal. The weight of the drag is graduallylessened duringthe combing. For-illustration, consider-that it is liftedclear of the paper'at the end of the normal oraverage combing time. Inthis, case the additional combing time, when working on 'a hard combingplace, will be under the most favorable co nditiomhaving no dragresistance to the hardest combing comb against. 011 the other hand, whenan easy combing place is encountered, the

wheels remaindown less than the normal 7 time, perhaps half of thenormal time. In this case the entire combing will be against theresistance of the drag. This increases the length of steps over 'whatthey would otherwise be. It also increases the interval of time that thewheels remain down over what it would otherwise be. In other words, itshortens the long combing interval, and lengthens the short combinginterval. It shortens the length of the steps that go with a hardcombing place; and lengthens the ste s that go with an easy combingplace. t may be'ex lained herethat easy combing places ten to make shortsteps, more places tend to make long steps, a less number of sheetsbeing in motion. A heavy. drag resistance means less sheets in motion,while a light drag resistance means more sheets in motion. It will thusbe seen that a gradually lifting drag weight efi'ects a valuableautomatic balance to the combing action. The control of thefeeding ofthebank by the pneumatic caliper controls the number sheets being inmotion; and hard combing of sheets steppedout so nicelythat it somewhatlessens the'importanceof the drag just 7 described. However, the tjwbwork in entire harmony.

The drop roller 245 is normally actuated to reciprocate in the usuallway by means of the cam 162 as shown in Fig. 2. To pre- -.vent howeverthe drop roller from assuming theoperative position, before the sheethas become squarely presented between the drop and feed'rollers,latching means are rovided, also controlled .bythe fingers 157.

or this purpose the drop roller supporting structure is provided withthe arm 163, having a latching edge or contact piece 164.

.The two latching fingers 165 and 166, see

Figs. 19, 21, 22 and 28 are mounted on studs pivoted to the stationaryframework. These latching members are normally held against the face ofarms 168 by counterweight 167. The purpose of this arrangement. is asfol- 'lows: As above described, the drop rollers are reciprocated'by thecam 162 and raised and lowered with each cycle of the operation of themachine. If, when the fingers.157 are raised by the paper enteringbetween the drop and feed rollers, the drop rollers are in the extremeelevated position, the latching members 165 and 166 are free to res0ndto the movement of the shaft 147 If owever, the shaft elements 147are rocked by the fingers-157 afterthe drop rollers are freed by cam162t0 fall, that is, with the latchcontact 164 resting upon the saidlatches 165 and 166, the latches will not be withdrawn from said latchcontacts 164. In

other words the drop rollers can only be released to operate upon thesheet after the sheet has squarely assumed itsfinalposition between thedrop and feed rollers while the said drop rollers are in the extremeelevated position; or in other words, if the fingers 157 have beenactuated by-the sheet -after the cam 162 has permitted the contactmembers 164 to rest onthe latches 165 and 166 to prevent theirdisengagement, the sheet after assuming its final position must waituntil the cam 162 has again lifted the drop rollers so that the latches165 and 166 are released. It will also be noted that there are twofingers 157, one controlling one element of shaft 147, the othercontrolling the other element of shaft 147, and that la'tch 165 iscontrolled by one section of shaft 147 while. latch 166 is controlled bythe other section,-

This results in requiring the entire front of the sheet to be squarelypresented to final position before both latches can be actuatedtorelease the drop rollers. Rod 169 is pivotally connected with the freeend of arm170,'which is rigidly secured to shaft 171', see Figs. 1, 10and 15. Arms 25 172 and 173 are in the present instance an integralstructure, and are ri idly secured to shaft 171. -Arms'174 and 75 arealso an integral structure and areloosely mount-' ed on shaft 171. Arm172 is providedwith the lug 176 adapted to encounter arm 175. To arm173;is secured one end of spring 177. The other end of spring 177 issecured to the lower endof arm 174. ,The pin 178 projects from arm 54.When shaft 171 is turnedin the clockwise direction by operatin rod 169:arm 173 is moved to put spring 1 7 under tension, so that when arm 54is depressed" the lug or stud 178 is engaged by latch arm 175 and thecombing wheel is locked in the elevated position until shaft 171 isagain turned. Arm 179 is rigidly mounted onshaft 171, located about themiddle of-themachine,jand is secured to the connecting rod 180 whichin'turnissecured to arm 181,

see Figs. 15 and 19. Arm 181' is rigidlymounted on the stud 182 which isrotatably mounted in the stationary bracket 183, see

Figs. 15 and 28. Arm 184 is also rigidly. secured to stud 182. Arm 184is provided with a lug 186which is adapted to encounter arm 185. Spring187 is secured between the lower end of arm 184 and the arm 185. To

the outer end of arm 185 is pivotally connected one end of connectingrod 188, see igs. 8 and 15. Connecting rod 188 is guidedin' aprojectionof'bracket 183, see Fig. 8, and is connected at its lower endi with a-pivoted crosswbar 189, adapted to.en--

the sheets toward the drop. and feed roll.-' ers, when the machine isnot feeding sheets.

At thesame time latch pieces 235 and 236 are broTlght into engagement,see Fig. 16.

Arm 190 is integral with arm 181. Arm 191 is loosely mounted on stud182, and arm 192 is integral with arm 191. Arm 191 is iconnected byspring 193 to the outer end of arm 190. -Arm 190 is provided with a lug194 adapted to engage arm 191, see Fig. 22. Thus when the rod 169 isoperated to depress the clamping guide 155, the arm 192 is brought intoengagement with latch 166 to maintain the same in the latching positionand to maintain the drop roller 245 in the elevated position as shown in22. 1 As indicating the importance" of control ling the feed of thebankof sheetsv by the?- ator places a ,pile' of sheets on the-top table30,- not having been sufiiciently feathered out, that, with aplura'lityof the sheets in approximate register, when these sheets come down tothe detector 63 they are there arrested. No further feed can'take placeuntil the combing wheel has combed or stepped these sheets out so thatthey can be taken singly by the drop and feed vrollers.

" Blowing nozzles 215 are provided as. I shown in Fig. 10, and aresupplied by the hose 216 from the pipe 217. These nozzles are adapted todeliver wind td the sides of the bank of sheets at proper intervalsdurmg the operation. of the machine, but'it is important that the blastsof Wind be cut off when the operation of the machine is stopped, thatis, when the combing wheels are, -lobked in the elevated position." Forthis, purpose the following mechanism is' provided :\Referring toFigsf-26 and 27 a valve 218'and yalvepiston 219 are provided to controlthe air deliveredto said nozzles. The piston219 is controlled by thespring 220. andnormall y held in the elevated position' establishingcommunication between the source of air pressure supply and the nozzles.Above the piston 219 is the rod 221 having a loose connection with thepin 222 on the end of lever 227 pivoted at 228. On the shaft 171 isprovided the collar 229 which is adapted to engage the end 2300f lever227. When the shaft 171 is turned to lock thevcombin g wheels in theelevated-or inoperative position, the, collar 229 engages the end 23,0and depresses the same causing the elevation of the pin 222 which causesthe. corresponding elevation of the rod 221.

Upon the elevation of the rod 221 the'spring 22(Fs'erves to elevatethepiston 219, which serves to cut ofl communicationbetweenairpressuresupply and the nozzles. lVhenetlte shaft 171 is'returned to normalposition, permitting the depression of rod 221, the

weight of the rod overcomes the tension of

